Triazole compounds and the therapeutic use thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to triazole compounds of general formula (I), wherein A, B, R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  have the meaning cited in claim  1 . The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical agent containing at least one compound of general formula (I) in addition to the use of the compound (I) for producing a pharmaceutical agent for treating illnesses, responding to the effects of dopamine-D 3 -receptor antagonists or dopamine-D 3 -receptor agonists, especially for treating disorders in the central nervous system.

The present invention relates to triazole compounds and to the therapeutic use thereof. The compounds have valuable therapeutic properties and are suitable in particular for the treatment of disorders which respond to modulation of the dopamine D₃ receptor.

Neurons receive their information inter alia via G protein-coupled receptors. There are numerous substances which exert their effect via these receptors. One of these is dopamine. Confirmed findings about the presence of dopamine and its physiological function as neurotransmitter have been published. Disturbances in the dopaminergic transmitter system result in disorders of the central nervous system which include, for example, schizophrenia, depression or Parkinson's disease. These and other disorders are treated with medicaments which interact with the dopamine receptors.

Until 1990, two subtypes of dopamine receptors were clearly defined pharmacologically, namely the D₁ and D₂ receptors. More recently, a third subtype has been found, namely the D₃ receptor, which appears to mediate some effects of antipsychotics and antiparkinsonian drugs (J. C. Schwartz et al., The Dopamine D₃ Receptor as a Target for Antipsychotics, in Novel Antipsychotic Drugs, H. Y. Meltzer, Ed. Raven Press, New York 1992, pages 135-144; M. Dooley et al., Drugs and Aging 1998, 12, 495-514 N. Joyce “Dopamine D₃-Receptors as a Therapeutic Target for Antipsychotic and Antiparkinsonian Drugs” Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2001, 90, pp. 231-259).

Dopamine receptors are now divided into two families, firstly the D₂ group consisting of D₂, D₃ and D₄ receptors, and secondly the D₁ group consisting of D₁ and D₅ receptors. Whereas D₁ and D₂ receptors are widespread, the expression of D₃ receptors by contrast appears to be regioselective. Thus, these receptors are preferentially found in the limbic system, the projecting regions of the mesolimbic dopamine system, especially in the nucleus accumbens, but also in other regions such as amygdala. Because of this comparatively regioselective expression, D₃ receptors are regarded as a target with few side effects, and it is assumed that a selective D₃ ligand ought to have the properties of known antipsychotics but not their dopamine D₂ receptor-mediated neurological side effects (P. Sokoloff et al., Localization and Function of the D₃ Dopamine Receptor, Arzneim. Forsch./Drug Res. 42(1), 224 (1992); P. Sokoloff et al. Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Dopamine Receptor (D₃) as a Target for Neuroleptics, Nature, 347, 146 (1990)).

Triazole compounds having dopamine D₃ receptor affinity are disclosed in DE 4425144, WO 97/25324 and WO 99/02503.

In addition, WO 00/42036 discloses triazole compounds of the general formula

in which

A is C₄-C₁₀-alkylene or C₃-C₁₀-alkylene which includes at least one group Z which is selected from O, S, NR′, CONR′, COO, CO, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylene and a double or triple bond, where R′ is, for example, H or C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, halogen or phenyl,

X is CH₂ or CH₂—CH₂

R^(a) may be inter alia an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic radical,

R^(b) is H, C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, halogen or phenyl, or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl or phenyl;

R^(c), R^(d) and R^(e) are independently of one another H, optionally substituted alkyl, OH, alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy, OSO₂CF₃, SH, alkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, CO₂R′, SO₂R′, SO₂NR′R″, CONR′R″, NHSO₂R′, NR′R″, a carbocyclic 5- or 6-membered, optionally substituted aromatic or nonaromatic ring or a heterocyclic 5- or 6-membered, optionally substituted aromatic or nonaromatic ring, where R′ has the aforementioned meanings, R″ has the meanings mentioned for R′, or R′ and R″ form together with the nitrogen atom a 5- to 7-membered nitrogen heterocycle.

The triazole compounds disclosed in WO 00/42036 have a high affinity for dopamine D₃ receptors with, at the same time, high selectivity in relation to other dopamine receptors.

It is desirable to have access to selective dopamine D₃ receptor ligands which additionally have a high bio-availability and a high cerebral availability. Compounds having high bioavailability have the advantage that a given threshold concentration of the medicament at the site of action can be achieved with a lower dose to be administered orally. In addition, a higher concentration of the medicament at the site of action is achieved on administration of a given dose.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing compounds which act as selective dopamine D₃ receptor ligands. The compounds ought additionally to have high bioavailability and high cerebral availability.

This object is surprisingly achieved by triazole compounds of the general formula I:

in which

A is C₄-C₁₀-alkylene or C₃-C₁₀-alkylene which includes at least one group Z which is selected from O, S, NR⁵, CONR⁵, COO and CO, where alkylene may also have a C₃-C₆-cycloalkylene group and/or a double or triple bond,

B is CH₂ or CH₂—CH₂;

R¹ is an aromatic radical which is selected from phenyl and a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic radical having 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms which are selected independently of one another from O, N and S, where the aromatic radical may have one or more, e.g. 1, 2 or 3, substituents which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, halogen or phenyl, or C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl, or halogen, CN, OR⁶, COOR⁶, NR⁷R⁸, NO₂, SR⁹, SO₂R⁹, SO₂NR⁷R⁸, COR¹⁰, and phenyl which is optionally substituted by one or two radicals which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, NR⁷R⁸, CN, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen, where phenyl and the heteroaromatic radical may also be fused to a 5 or 6-membered, aromatic or non-aromatic carbocycle;

R² is H, C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, halogen or phenyl, or OH, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, OCF₃, OCHF₂, OSO₂CF₃, SH, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, halogen, CN or NO₂;

R³ is C₂-C₁₀-alkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl which is substituted by C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio or phenyl which may in turn have one, two or three substituents selected from C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, halogen, CN, OR⁶, COOR⁶, NR⁷R⁸, NO₂, SR⁹, SO₂R⁹, SO₂NR⁷R⁸, COR¹⁰ and halogen, is C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl, or is an aromatic radical which is selected from phenyl, naphthyl and a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic radical having 1, 2, or 3 heteroatoms which are selected independently of one another from O, N and S, where the aromatic radical may have one or two substituents which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, halogen, CN, COOR⁶, NR⁷R⁸, NO₂, SO₂R⁹, SO₂NR⁷R⁸, COR¹⁰, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen, where R³ may also be methyl if R¹ is a radical different from phenyl, in particular is an optionally substituted heteroaromatic radical;

R⁴ is H, C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or phenyl, or C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by C₁-C₄-alkyl or halogen, or phenyl;

R⁵ is H, C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or phenyl, or C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, phenyl or a COR¹¹ group;

R⁶ to R¹⁰ are independently of one another H, C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or phenyl, or C₁-C₆-haloalkyl or phenyl, where R⁸ may also be a COR¹¹ group in which R¹¹ has one of the meanings mentioned for R⁴;

R⁷ may also form together with R⁸ a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated carbocycle which may have a heteroatom selected from O, S, N and NR¹² as ring member, where R¹² is hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl,

and by the physiologically tolerated salts of these compounds.

The inventive compounds of the formula I are selective dopamine D₃ receptor ligands. They are therefore suitable for the treatment of disorders which respond to their influencing, i.e. modulation of such ligands. Examples of such disorders are impairments and disorders of the central nervous system, especially affective disorders, neurotic disorders, stress disorders and somatoform disorders and psychoses, specifically schizophrenia and depression, and additionally disorders of renal function, especially those caused by diabetes mellitus (see WO 00/67847).

The invention therefore relates to the compounds I and to the use thereof for the treatment of such disorders, and for producing a medicament for the treatment of such disorders.

The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition (=medicament) comprising at least one compound of the formula I, where appropriate in the form of a physiologically tolerated salt of I, and where appropriate one or more physiologically tolerated carriers and/or excipients.

The aforementioned indications are treated according to the invention by using at least one compound of the general formula I having the meanings mentioned at the outset. If the compounds of the formula I have one or more centers of asymmetry, it is also possible to employ mixtures of enantiomers, especially racemates, mixtures of diastereomers, mixtures of tautomers, but preferably the respective substantially pure enantiomers, diastereomers and tautomers.

It is likewise possible to use physiologically tolerated salts of the compounds of the formula I, especially acid addition salts with physiologically tolerated acids. Examples of suitable physiologically tolerated organic and inorganic acids are hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, adipic acid or benzoic acid. Further acids which can be used are described in Fortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung, Volume 10, pages 224 et seq., Birkhäuser Verlag, Basle and Stuttgart, 1966.

C_(n)-C_(m)-Alkyl (also in radicals such as alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylamino etc.) means a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having n to m carbon atoms, e.g. 1 to 6 carbon atoms and in particular 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of an alkyl group are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, 2-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, 2-pentyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl and the like.

The alkyl group may have one or more substituents which are selected independently of one another from OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, halogen or phenyl. In the case of a halogen substituent, the alkyl group may include in particular 1, 2, 3 or 4 halogen atoms which may be present on one or more C atoms, preferably in the α- or ω-position. Groups of this type are also referred to hereinafter as haloalkyl. A preferred haloalkyl is fluoroalkyl or fluorochloroalkyl, in particular CF₃, CHF₂, CF₂Cl, CH₂F, CH₂CF₃.

In the case of hydroxyl-substituted alkyl, the alkyl group has in particular one hydroxyl group, such as, for example, hydroxymethyl, 2-hydroxyeth-1-yl, 2-hydroxyprop-1-yl, 3-hydroxy-prop-1-yl, 1-hydroxyprop-2-yl, 2-hydroxybut-1-yl, 3-hydroxybut-1-yl, 4-hydroxy-but-1-yl, 1-hydroxybut-2-yl, 1-hydroxybut-3-yl, 2-hydroxybut-3-yl, 1-hydroxy-2-methylprop-3-yl, 2-hydroxy-2-methylprop-3-yl or 2-hydroxymethylprop-2-yl, in particular 2-hydroxyethyl.

In the case of alkoxy-substituted alkyl, the alkyl group has in particular one alkoxy substituent. These radicals are referred to, depending on the number of carbon atoms, also as C_(n)-C_(m)-alkoxy-C_(n)-C_(m)-alkyl and are, for example, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, 2-methoxy-ethyl, 1-methoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 1-ethoxyethyl, n-propoxymethyl, isopropoxymethyl, n-butoxymethyl, (1-methylpropoxy)methyl, (2-methylpropoxy)methyl, CH₂—OC(CH₃)₃, 2-(methoxy)ethyl, 2-(ethoxy)ethyl, 2-(n-propoxy)ethyl, 2-(1-methylethoxy)ethyl, 2-(n-butoxy)ethyl, 2-(1-methylpropoxy)ethyl, 2-(2-methylpropoxy)ethyl, 2-(1,1-dimethylethoxy)ethyl, 2-(methoxy)propyl, 2-(ethoxy)propyl, 2-(n-propoxy)-propyl, 2-(1-methylethoxy)propyl, 2-(n-butoxy)propyl, 2-(1-methylpropoxy)propyl, 2-(2-methylpropoxy)propyl, 2-(1,1-dimethylethoxy)propyl, 3-(methoxy)propyl, 3-(ethoxy)propyl, 3-(n-propoxy)propyl, 3-(1-methyl-ethoxy)propyl, 3-(n-butoxy)/propyl, 3-(1-methyl-propoxy)propyl, 3-(2-methylpropoxy)propyl, 3-(1,1-dimethylethoxy)propyl, 2-(methoxy)butyl, 2-(ethoxy)butyl, 2-(n-propoxy)butyl, 2-(1-methylethoxy)butyl, 2-(n-butoxy)butyl, 2-(1-methylpropoxy)butyl, 2-(2-methylpropoxy)butyl, 2-(1,1-dimethylethoxy)butyl, 3-(methoxy)butyl, 3-(ethoxy)butyl, 3-(n-propoxy)butyl, 3-(1-methyl-ethoxy)butyl, 3-(n-butoxy)butyl, 3-(1-methylpropoxy)-butyl, 3-(2-methylpropoxy)butyl, 3-(1,1-dimethyl-ethoxy)butyl, 4-(methoxy)butyl, 4-(ethoxy)butyl, 4-(n-propoxy)butyl, 4-(1-methylethoxy)butyl, 4-(n-butoxy)butyl, 4-(1-methylpropoxy)butyl, 4-(2-methylpropoxy)butyl or 4-(1,1-dimethylethoxy)-butyl, preferably methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2-(methoxy)propyl, 2-(ethoxy)propyl or 3-(methoxy)propyl, 3-(ethoxy)-propyl.

Cycloalkyl is in particular C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.

The term “alkylene” includes in principle straight-chain or branched radicals preferably having 3 to 10 and particularly preferably having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, such as prop-1,2-ylene, prop-1,3-ylene, but-1,2-ylene, but-1,3-ylene, but-1,4-ylene, 2-methylprop-1,3-ylene, pent-1,2-ylene, pent-1,3-ylene, pent-1,4-ylene, pent-1,5-ylene, pent-2,3-ylene, pent-2,4-ylene, 1-methylbut-1,4-ylene, 2-methylbut-1,4-ylene, hex-1,3-ylene, hex-2,4-ylene, hex-1,4-ylene, hex-1,5-ylene, hex-1,6-ylene and the like. C₀-Alkylene is a single bond, C₁-alkylene is methylene and C₂-alkylene is 1,1-ethylene or 1,2-ethylene.

“5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic radicals” having 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms which are selected from O, S and N include in particular heterocycles having 1, 2, 3 or 4 nitrogen atoms, heterocycles having 1 oxygen or 1 sulfur atom, heterocycles having 1 oxygen and 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms, and heterocycles having 1 sulfur atom and 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms. These include especially pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazinyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl and triazolyl. These may have 1, 2 or 3 of the substituents mentioned for R¹ on the nitrogen atoms and on the carbon atoms. If one of the substituents is hydroxyl, the radicals may also exist in a tautomeric form having a carbonyl group. Examples of 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic radicals having a fused carbocycle or being fused thereto include benzofuranyl, benzthienyl, indolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzopyrazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, and corresponding partially hydrogenated groups.

Examples of phenyl having a fused carbocycle are in particular naphthyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronapht-(1,2,3 or 4)-yl, indanyl and indenyl.

In connection with group A, the two binding sites of the alkylene chain are preferably located not on the same atom but form, where appropriate with the at least one group Z, a chain which has at least three and preferably at least four members and which separates the triazole ring from the nitrogen atom of the (partially) saturated nitrogen heterocycle, preferably by at least 5 bonds from one another. If A has no group Z, then A includes 4 to 10 carbon atoms, in particular 4 to 8 carbon atoms. The chain between the triazole ring and group B then has at least four carbon atoms. If A has at least one of said groups Z, then A includes 3 to 10 carbon atoms, in particular 3 to 8 carbon atoms. It is additionally possible for the saturated bonds in alkylene to be replaced by unsaturated bonds (alkenylene; alkynylene). This may result in straight-chain or branched unsaturated radicals whose number and arrangement of the carbon atoms corresponds to that of the aforementioned alkylene radicals, but where one or more single bonds are replaced by corresponding unsaturated double or triple bonds. In addition, alkylene may have a C₃-C₆-cycloalkanediyl group, e.g. cis- or trans-cyclopropane-1,2-diyl, cis- or trans-cyclobutane-1,2-diyl, cis- or trans-cyclopentane-1,2-diyl, cis- or trans-cyclopentane-1,3-diyl, cis- or trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diyl, cis- or trans-cyclohexane-1,3-diyl, cis- or trans-cyclohexane-1,4-diyl.

If the alkylene group in A includes at least one of the Z groups, this can be disposed in the alkylene chain at any point or preferably in position 1 or 2 of group A (viewed from the triazole ring). In particular, Z is located in position 1, i.e. Z is bonded to the triazole ring. The radicals COO and CONR⁵ are in this case preferably disposed so that the carbonyl group is bonded to the triazole ring.

With a view to the use of the inventive compounds as dopamine D₃ receptor ligands, the variables A, B, R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ preferably have independently of one another the meanings indicated below:

A is C₄-C₁₀-alkylene or Z-C₃-C₁₀-alkylene, where Z is bonded to the triazole ring, and alkylene may have a double bond. Z has herein the aforementioned meanings and is selected in particular from O, S, COO, NR⁵ and CO and specifically from O and S. A preferably separates the triazole ring from the nitrogen atom of the (partially) saturated nitrogen heterocycle by at least 5 bonds or 4 chain members. A is, in particular, Z-CH₂CH₂CH₂, Z-CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂, Z-CH₂CH═CHCH₂, Z-CH₂C(CH₃)═CHCH₂, Z-CH₂C(═CH₂)CH₂, Z-CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂, (CH₂)₄, (CH₂)₅, CH₂CH₂CH═CHCH₂, CH₂CH₂C(CH₃)═CHCH₂, CH₂CH₂C(═CH₂)CH₂ or CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂. In particularly preferred compounds of the formula I, A is S—C₃-C₁₀-alkylene.

B is CH₂CH₂.

R¹ in a preferred embodiment of the invention is phenyl which is unsubstituted or has one or two substituents which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₆-alkyl, OR⁹, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-fluoroalkyl, phenyl, CN and halogen and/or may be fused to a 6-membered aromatic carbocycle, in particular is unsubstituted phenyl or 4-fluoro-phenyl. In another preferred embodiment, R¹ is a 5- or 6-membered preferred embodiment R¹ is a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic radical (=hetaryl) which may have 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S and which may have a fused benzene ring. The heteroaromatic radical may be substituted in the abovementioned manner. Preferred substituents on R¹ are CN, C₁-C₄-alkyl, OR⁹, halogen, C₁-C₄-fluoroalkyl, and phenyl, in particular CN, CH₃, OH, OCH₃, CHF₂, CF₃, halogen, phenyl and tert-butyl. In particular, R¹ is unsubstituted or has one or two of the substituents previously mentioned as preferred, e.g. a methyl group, one or two methoxy groups. In particular, R¹ is optionally substituted pyrrolyl, thienyl, furanyl, tetrazolyl, benzothienyl, indolyl, benzothiazolyl, pyridyl or pyrazinyl, particularly preferably is optionally substituted 2- or 3-pyrrolyl or optionally substituted 2- or 3-thienyl. Preferred among these are compounds I in which R¹ is pyrrol-2-yl, 1-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)pyrrol-2-yl, 1-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)pyrrol-3-yl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, benzothien-2-yl, benzothiazol-2-yl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-pyridinyl, 3-pyridinyl, 4-pyridinyl or 2-pyrazinyl, in particular is 1-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)pyrrol-2-yl, 1-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)pyrrol-3-yl, 2-thienyl or 3-thienyl. In a particularly preferred embodiment, R¹ is pyrrolyl, in particular 2-pyrrolyl, which is unsubstituted or preferably has 1 or 2 substituents selected from C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, with in particular one substituent being disposed on the nitrogen. Particularly preferred among these are compounds I with R¹=1-methylpyrrol-2-yl. In another particularly preferred embodiment, R¹ is phenyl which optionally has one of the aforementioned groups and in particular a halogen atom as substituent. In this embodiment, R¹ is in particular phenyl or p-fluorophenyl.

R² is preferably hydrogen.

R³ is C₂-C₁₀-alkyl, in particular C₂-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, benzyl or phenyl, where benzyl or phenyl may be unsubstituted or substituted in the aforementioned manner on the phenyl ring, e.g. have one or two substituents which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen. R³ is particularly preferably C₂-C₄-alkyl, in particular ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, 2-butyl, tert-butyl, also cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl which is unsubstituted or may be substituted once or twice by C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen. If R¹ is optionally substituted hetaryl, then compounds in which R³ is methyl are also preferred. R³ is very particularly preferably C₂-C₄-alkyl.

R⁴ is preferably different from hydrogen and is in particular C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, particularly preferably C₁-C₄-alkyl and specifically methyl.

With a view to their use, particularly preferred compounds of the formula I are those in which the variables A, B, R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ together have the meanings indicated as preferred.

In addition, compounds preferred among the compound of the formula I are those in which the group —C(O)R³ is disposed in the 3 position (meta position) to the binding site of B. If B is CH₂CH₂, this is the 7 position of the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline unit. If B is CH₂, this is the 6 position of the 1,3-dihydro-isoindole unit.

R⁵ in NR⁵ groups is preferably H, C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl-substituted C₁-C₄-alkyl or COR¹¹. NR⁵ is particularly preferably NH, NCH₃, NCOCH₃ or NCH₂-phenyl.

R⁶ in OR⁶ substituents is preferably H, C₁-C₄-alkyl, CF₃, CHF₂ or phenyl. OR⁶ is particularly preferably methoxy, trifluoromethoxy or phenoxy.

R⁶ in COOR⁶ substituents is H or C₁-C₄-alkyl. COOR⁶ is particularly preferably C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl such as methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n-propoxycarbonyl, i-propoxycarbonyl, n-butoxycarbonyl or t-butoxy-carbonyl.

R⁷ in CONR⁷R⁸ substituents is preferably H or C₁-C₄-alkyl and R⁸ is preferably H, C₁-C₄-alkyl or COR¹¹. CONR⁷R⁸ is particularly preferably CONH₂, CONHCH₃, CON(CH₃)₂ or CONHCOCH₃.

R⁷ in NR⁷R⁸ substituents is preferably H, C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl-substituted C₁-C₄-alkyl and R⁸ is H, C₁-C₄-alkyl or COR¹¹. NR⁷R⁸ is particularly preferably NH₂, NHCH₃, N(CH₃)₂, NH-benzyl or NHCOCH₃.

R⁷ in SO₂NR⁷R⁸ substituents is preferably H or C₁-C₄-alkyl and R⁸ is preferably H, C₁-C₄-alkyl or COR¹¹. SO₂NR⁷R⁸ is particularly preferably sulfamoyl.

R⁹ in SR⁹ substituents is preferably alkyl. SR⁹ is particularly preferably thiomethyl.

R⁹ in SO₂R⁹ substituents is preferably H or C₁-C₄-alkyl. SO₂R⁹ is particularly preferably methylsulfonyl.

R¹⁰ in COR¹⁰ substituents is preferably H, C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl. COR¹⁰ is particularly preferably formyl, acetyl or benzoyl.

R¹¹ in COR¹¹ substituents is preferably H, C₁-C₄-alkyl or Phenyl. COR¹¹ is particularly preferably formyl, acetyl or benzoyl.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention are the compounds of the general formula Ia,

in which A, R¹ R³ and R⁴ have the meanings indicated above, i.e. compounds of the general formula I as defined above in which B is a CH₂—CH₂ unit, R² is hydrogen, and the radical C(O)R³ is disposed in the 7 position. That stated above applies to the preferred meanings of R¹, R³, R⁴ and A.

In particular, A is C₄-C₁₀-alkylene or Z-C₃-C₁₀-alkylene, where Z is bonded to the triazole ring, and alkylene may have a double bond. Z herein has the aforementioned meanings and is in particular selected from O, S, COO, NR⁵ and CO and specifically from O and S. A preferably separates the triazole ring from the nitrogen atom of the (partially) saturated nitrogen heterocycle by at least 5 bonds or 4 chain members. In particular, A is Z-CH₂CH₂CH₂, Z-CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂, Z-CH₂CH═CHCH₂, Z-CH₂C(CH₃)═CHCH₂, Z-CH₂C(═CH₂)CH₂, Z-CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂, (CH₂)₄, (CH₂)₅, CH₂CH₂CH═CHCH₂, CH₂CH₂C(CH₃)═CHCH₂, CH₂CH₂C(═CH₂)CH₂ or CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂. A in particularly preferred compounds of the formula I is S—C₃-C₁₀-alkylene.

R¹ in formula Ia is in particular optionally substituted phenyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, furanyl, tetrazolyl, benzothienyl, indolyl, benzothiazolyl, pyridyl and pyrazinyl, particularly preferably is optionally substituted 2- or 3-pyrrolyl or optionally substituted 2- or 3-thienyl. Preferred among these are compounds I in which R¹ is pyrrol-2-yl, 1-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)pyrrol-2-yl, 1-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)pyrrol-3-yl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, benzothien-2-yl, benzothiazol-2-yl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-pyridinyl, 3-pyridinyl, 4-pyridinyl or 2-pyrazinyl in particular is 1-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)pyrrol-2-yl, 1-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)pyrrol-3-yl, 2-thienyl or 3-thienyl. In a particularly preferred embodiment, R¹ is pyrrolyl, in particular 2-pyrrolyl, which is unsubstituted or preferably has 1 or 2 substituents selected from C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, with one substituent in particular being disposed on the nitrogen. Particularly preferred among these are compounds I with R¹=1-methylpyrrol-2-yl. In another particularly preferred embodiment, R¹ is phenyl which optionally has one of the aforementioned groups and in particular a halogen atom as substituent. In this embodiment, R¹ is in particular phenyl or p-fluorophenyl.

R³ in formula Ia is in particular C₂-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, benzyl or phenyl, where benzyl or phenyl may be unsubstituted or substituted in the aforementioned manner on the phenyl ring, e.g. have one or two substituents which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen. R³ is particularly preferably C₂-C₄-alkyl, in particular ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, 2-butyl, tert-butyl, also cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl which is unsubstituted or may be substituted once or twice by C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen. If R¹ is optionally substituted hetaryl, then preferred compounds are also those in which R³ is methyl. R³ is very particularly preferably C₂-C₄-alkyl.

R⁴ in formula Ia is preferably a radical different from hydrogen and in particular is C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, in particular C₁-C₄-alkyl and specifically methyl.

Preferred compounds of the formula Ia are in particular compounds of the formula Ia′

in which R¹ and R³ have the meanings indicated above, especially the meanings indicated as preferred, k is 3 or 4 and Z′ is O, CH₂ or, in particular, S.

Among these, particularly preferred compounds of the formula Ia′ are those in which R¹ and R³ have, alone or particularly preferably in combination, the following meanings:

R¹ phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, pyrrol-2-yl, 1-methyl-pyrrol-2-yl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, benzothien-2-yl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, benzothiazol-2-yl, 2-pyridinyl, 3-pyridinyl, 4-pyridinyl or 2-pyrazinyl. R¹ is in particular 1-methylpyrrol-2-yl;

R³ C₂-C₄-alkyl or phenyl which is unsubstituted or may be substituted once or twice by C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen, or if R¹ is different from phenyl may also be methyl. R³ is in particular C₂-C₄-alkyl.

Examples of particularly preferred compounds I are compounds of the formula Ia′ which are listed in Table 1 below and in which R¹, R³, k and Z′ in formula Ia′ have the meaning indicated in one line of Table 1 in each case. (Compounds Ia′-1 to 1a′-92). TABLE 1 Compound Ia′ No. R¹ Z′ k R³ 1 4-Pyridyl S 3 Phenyl 2 3-Thienyl S 3 tert-Butyl 3 2-Furyl S 3 Phenyl 4 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 3 Methyl 5 2-Thienyl S 3 Ethyl 6 3-Thienyl S 3 Methyl 7 Phenyl S 3 Cyclohexyl 8 3-Pyridyl S 3 Cyclopropyl 9 4-Pyridyl S 3 Ethyl 10 3-Pyridyl S 3 tert-Butyl 11 4-Pyridyl S 3 Cyclohexyl 12 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 3 Phenyl 13 Phenyl O 3 Phenyl 14 3-Thienyl S 3 Cyclopropyl 15 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 3 Ethyl 16 2-Furyl S 3 Cyclohexyl 17 Phenyl CH₂ 3 Phenyl 18 3-Thienyl S 3 Phenyl 19 Phenyl S 3 Phenyl 20 3-Thienyl S 3 Ethyl 21 Phenyl CH₂ 3 Ethyl 22 2-Pyrazinyl S 3 Cyclopropyl 23 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 3 Cyclopropyl 24 3-Thienyl S 3 Cyclohexyl 25 Phenyl S 3 Ethyl 26 2-Pyrazinyl S 3 Ethyl 27 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl O 3 Ethyl 28 2-Pyrazinyl S 3 Methyl 29 4-Pyridyl S 3 tert-Butyl 30 2-Furyl S 3 Methyl 31 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 3 tert-Butyl 32 2-Furyl S 3 Ethyl 33 4-Pyridyl S 3 Methyl 34 Phenyl S 3 Cyclopropyl 35 Phenyl S 3 tert-Butyl 36 2-Thienyl S 3 Methyl 37 2-Pyrazinyl S 3 Phenyl 38 2-Thienyl S 3 Phenyl 39 3-Pyridyl S 3 Methyl 40 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl CH₂ 3 Ethyl 41 3-Pyridyl S 3 Ethyl 42 2-Thienyl S 3 Cyclohexyl 43 2-Furyl S 3 Cyclopropyl 44 2-Pyrazinyl S 3 Cyclohexyl 45 4-Pyridyl S 3 Cyclopropyl 46 3-Pyridyl S 3 Phenyl 47 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 4 Ethyl 48 2-Thienyl S 3 Cyclopropyl 49 Phenyl O 3 Ethyl 50 2-Pyrazinyl S 3 tert-Butyl 51 3-Pyridyl S 3 Cyclohexyl 52 2-Thienyl S 3 tert-Butyl 53 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 3 Cyclohexyl 54 2-Furyl S 3 tert-Butyl 55 2-Thienyl S 3 3-Fluorophenyl 56 Phenyl S 4 3-Fluorophenyl 57 Benzo [b] thien-2-yl S 3 Ethyl 58 2-Pyrazinyl S 3 3-Fluorophenyl 59 1H-Pyrrol-2-yl S 3 tert-Butyl 60 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 3 3-Fluorophenyl 61 Benzo [b] thiazol-2-yl S 3 Phenyl 62 2-Furyl S 3 3-Fluorophenyl 63 3-Pyridyl S 3 3-Fluorophenyl 64 1H-Pyrrol-2-yl S 3 Phenyl 65 1H-Pyrrol-2-yl S 3 Ethyl 66 3-Thienyl S 3 3-Fluorophenyl 67 Phenyl S 4 Phenyl 68 Phenyl S 3 3-Fluorophenyl 69 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 3 3-Fluorophenyl 70 Benzo [b] thiazol-2-yl S 3 Ethyl 71 Pyridin-2-yl S 3 Ethyl 72 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 4 3-Fluorophenyl 73 1H-Pyrrol-2-yl S 3 Cyclopropyl 74 1H-Pyrrol-2-yl S 3 Cylcohexyl 75 Benzo [b] thien-2-yl S 3 Phenyl 76 3-Pyridyl S 3 Ethyl 77 Benzo [b] thiazol-2-yl S 3 3-Fluorophenyl 78 2-Furyl S 4 Cyclopropyl 79 2-Thienyl S 4 Cyclohexyl 80 Benzo [b] thien-2-yl S 3 Cyclopropyl 81 4-F-Phenyl S 3 Ethyl 82 4-F-Phenyl CH₂ 3 Ethyl 83 2-Thienyl S 3 4-Fluorophenyl 84 Phenyl S 4 4-Fluorophenyl 85 2-Pyrazinyl S 3 4-Fluorophenyl 86 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 3 4-Fluorophenyl 87 3-Pyridyl S 3 4-Fluorophenyl 88 3-Thienyl S 3 4-Fluorophenyl 89 Phenyl S 3 4-Fluorophenyl 90 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 3 4-Fluorophenyl 91 1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl S 4 4-Fluorophenyl 92 Benzo [b] thiazol-2-yl S 3 4-Fluorophenyl

Another preferred embodiment of the invention are the compounds of the general formula Ib

in which A, R¹ R³ and R⁴ have the meanings indicated above, i.e. compounds of the general formula I as defined above in which B is a CH₂ unit, R² is hydrogen, and the radical C(O)R³ is disposed in the 6 position. That stated above for formula Ia applies to the preferred meanings of R¹, R³, R⁴ and A.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula Ib are compounds of the formula Ib′

in which R¹ and R³ have the meanings indicated above, especially the meanings indicated as preferred, k is 3 or 4 and Z′ is O, CH₂ or, in particular, S.

Of these, particularly preferred compounds of the formula Ib′ are those in which R¹ and R³ have, alone or particularly preferably in combination, the following meanings:

R¹ phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, pyrrol-2-yl, 1-methyl-pyrrol-2-yl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, benzothien-2-yl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, benzothiazol-2-yl, 2-pyridinyl, 3-pyridinyl, 4-pyridinyl or 2-pyrazinyl. R¹ is in particular 1-methylpyrrol-2-yl;

R³ C₂-C₄-alkyl or phenyl which is unsubstituted or may be substituted once or twice by C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen, or if R¹ is different from phenyl may also be methyl. R³ is in particular C₂-C₄-alkyl.

Examples of particularly preferred compounds Ib are compounds of the formula Ib′ in which R¹, R³, k and Z′ in formula Ib′ have the meaning indicated in one line of Table 1 in each case. (Compounds Ib′-1 to 1b′-92).

The inventive compounds are prepared in analogy to methods which are known from the literature and are described for preparing triazole compounds of this type, e.g. in WO 00/42036. This ordinarily entails

a) reacting a compound of the general formula (II)

in which y¹ is a usual leaving group such as, for example, halogen, alkylsulfonyloxy, aryl-sulfonyloxy, trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy or the like, with a compound of the general formula (III)

or

b) reacting a compound of the general formula (IV)

in which Z¹ is O, S or NR⁵ and A¹ is a bond or is C₁-C₁₀-alkylene, with a compound of the general formula (V)

where Y¹ has the meaning indicated above, and A² is C₂-C₁₀-alkylene, where A¹ and A² together have 3 to 10 C atoms, and A¹ and/or A² optionally include at least one group Z; or

c) reacting a compound of the general formula (VI)

in which Y¹ and A¹ have the meanings indicated above, with a compound of the general formula (VII)

in which Z¹ and A² have the meanings indicated above; or

d) umpolung of an aldehyde of the general formula (VIII)

using reagents known from the literature, such as, for example, 1,3-propanedithiol, KCN/water, TMSCN (trimethylsilyl cyanide) or KCN/morpholine as described, for example, in

Albright Tetrahedron, 1983, 39, 3207 or D. Seebach Synthesis 1969, 17 and 1979, 19 or H. Stetter Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1976, 15, 639 or van Niel et al. Tetrahedron 1989, 45, 7643 Martin et al. Synthesis 1979, 633,

to give the products (VIIIa) (by way of example with 1,3-propanedithiol)

and subsequent chain extension with compounds of the general formula (IX)

where Y¹ has the meaning indicated above, and A³ is C₃-C₉-alkylene which may comprise a group Z. The carbonyl function in the group —C(O)—R³ in formula IX is present where appropriate in protected form. After deprotection or reduction, compounds of the formula (I-1)

in which Z² is CO or a methylene group, and Z² and A³ together have 4 to 10 C atoms, are obtained in this way. It is alternatively possible

e) to react an aldehyde of the general formula (VIII) with a compound of the general formula (X)

in which Y² is a phosphorane or a phosphonic ester, and A³ has the meaning indicated above, in analogy to usual methods as described for example in Houben Weyl “Handbuch der Organischen Chemie” 4th edition, Thieme Verlag Stuttgart, Volume V/1b page 383 et seq. or Vol. V/1c page 575 et seq., or

f) to react a compound of the general formula (XI)

in which A⁴ is C₃-C₉-alkylene or C₂-C₉-alkylene which includes a group Z as defined above, Q is H or OH, with a compound of the formula IIIa under reductive conditions. The reaction takes place in analogy to methods known from the literature, as described for example in J. Org. Chem. 1986, 50, 1927 or WO 92/20655.

The process for preparing a compound of the formula I in which A includes the group COO comprises reacting a compound of the general formula XII

in which y³ is OH, OC₁-C₄-alkyl, Cl or together with CO is an activated carboxyl group (activated ester group), and A⁴ is C₀-C₉-alkylene, with a compound of the formula XIII

in which Z³ is OH, and A⁵ is C₂-C₆-alkylene, where A⁵ and A⁴ together have 3 to 10 C atoms. Compounds I with 2=CONR⁵ can be prepared in an analogous manner by reacting XII with XIII in which Z³ is NHR⁵.

Compounds of the general formula III are disclosed in the literature or can be prepared by introducing a group —C(O)—R³ into a compound of the general formula XIV,

in which X¹ is hydrogen or preferably an NH protective group, in a manner known per se, e.g. by acylating the compound XIV under Friedel-Crafts conditions, resulting in a compound of the formula IIIa

and removing the protective group X¹ where appropriate. Suitable NH protective groups, their introduction and their removal are described for example from Kocienski, “Protecting Groups” Georg Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart, New-York, 2000, pages 185-216, and include in particular trifluoromethylcarbonyl, methoxy- and ethoxycarbonyl, Boc, Z, Zbz, Aloc, Fmoc, Teoc and Troc groups.

Suitable methods for Friedel-Crafts acylation of compounds XIV are described for example in G. L. Grunewald et al, J. Med. Chem. 42 (1999), pages 118-134, F. E. Ali et al., J. Med. Chem. 25 (1982), pages 1235-1240.

Compounds of the formula III or IIIa can additionally be prepared by cyclization of compounds of the general formula XV

in which X² is an alkylcarbonyl group, e.g. acetyl, with formaldehyde or a formaldehyde equivalent such as formalin solution, trioxane, paraformaldehyde and the like with acid catalysis in analogy to the process described in A. B. Venkov et al., Synth. Commun. 25 (1995), pages 1419-1425.

The compounds of the formulae V, VII, IX, X and XIII can be prepared from the compounds of the formula III or IIIa in analogy to the patent literature cited at the outset, e.g. by the processes of WO 00/42036.

R¹, R², R³, R⁴, A, and B and X in the above formulae II to XV have the meanings indicated in connection with the formulae I, Ia and Ia′.

Compounds of the general formula XIV are disclosed in the literature or can be prepared by the methods described in P. L. Julian, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 70 (1948) pages 180-183, G. E. Hein, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 84 (1962), pages 4487-4494 and WO 00/21905.

The triazole compounds of the formulae II, IV, VI, VIII, VIIIa, XI and XII are either known or can be prepared by known processes as described for example in A. R. Katritzky, C. W. Rees (ed.) “Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry”, Pergamon Press, or “The Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds” J. Wiley & Sons Inc. NY and the literature cited therein, or in S. Kubota et al. Chem. Pharm. Bull 1975, 23, 955, WO 99/02503 or Vosilevskii et al. Izv. Akad. Nauk. SSSR Ser. Khim 1975, 23, 955; Rappoport et al. J. Org. Chem. 37 (1972), page 3618.

The inventive compounds and the starting materials and the intermediates can also be prepared in analogy to the methods described in the patent publications mentioned at the outset.

The reactions described above generally take place in a solvent at temperatures between room temperature and the boiling point of the solvent used. Examples of solvents which can be used are esters such as ethyl acetate, ethers such as diethyl ether or tetra-hydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethoxyethane, toluene, xylene, acetonitrile, ketones such as acetone or methyl ethyl ketone, or alcohols such as ethanol or butanol.

An acid-binding agent is present if desired. Suitable acid-binding agents are inorganic bases such as sodium or potassium carbonate, sodium or potassium bicarbonate, sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, sodium hydride or organometallic compounds such as butyl-lithium or alkylmagnesium compounds, or organic bases such as triethylamine or pyridine. The latter can serve simultaneously as solvents.

Process (f) takes place under reducing conditions, e.g. with use of sodium borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride or triacetoxyborohydride, where appropriate in acid medium or in the presence of a Lewis acid such as, for example, zinc chloride or by means of catalytic hydrogenation.

The crude product is isolated in a conventional way, for example by filtration, removal of the solvent by distillation or extraction from the reaction mixture etc. The resulting compounds can be purified in a conventional way, for example by recrystallization from a solvent, chromatography or conversion into an acid addition compound.

The acid addition salts are prepared in a conventional way by mixing the free base with the appropriate acid, where appropriate in solution in an organic solvent, for example a low alcohol such as methanol, ethanol or propanol, an ether such as methyl t-butyl ether, a ketone such as acetone or methyl ethyl ketone or an ester such as ethyl acetate.

The inventive triazole compounds of the formula I are highly selective dopamine D₃ receptor ligands which, because of their low affinity for other receptors such as D₁ receptors, D₄ receptors, α1- and/or α2-adrenergic receptors, serotinergic receptors, muscarinergic receptors, histaminic receptors, opiate receptors and, in particular, for dopamine D₂ receptors, have fewer side effects than classical neuroleptics which comprise D₂ receptor antagonists.

The high affinity of the inventive compounds for D₃ receptors is reflected in very low in vitro K_(i) values of ordinarily less than 100 nM (nmol/l) and especially of less than 50 nM. Binding affinities for D₃ receptors can for example be determined via the displacement of [¹²⁵I]-iodosulpride in receptor-binding studies.

Particularly important according to the invention are compounds whose selectivity K_(i)(D₂)/K_(i)(D₃) is preferably at least 10, even better at least 30 and particularly advantageously at least 50. Receptor-binding studies on D₁, D₂ and D₄ receptors can be carried out for example via the displacement of [³H]SCH23390, [¹²⁵I]iodosulpride and [¹²⁵I]spiperone.

The inventive compounds additionally have better bio-availability and better cerebral availability than comparable D₃ receptor ligands based on known triazole compounds having a tetrahydroisoquinoline or dihydro-isoindole residue and ought therefore to have the abovementioned advantages over comparable substances.

The compounds can, because of their binding profile, be used for the treatment of conditions which respond to dopamine D₃ ligands, i.e. they are effective for the treatment of those disorders or conditions where an influencing (modulation) of dopamine D₃ receptors leads to an improvement in the clinical condition or to cure of the disease. Examples of such conditions are disorders or conditions of the central nervous system.

Disorders or conditions of the central nervous system mean disorders affecting the spinal cord or, in particular, the brain. The term “disorder” in the sense according to the invention refers to abnormalities which are usually regarded as pathological states or functions and may reveal themselves in the form of particular signs, symptoms and/or dysfunctions. The inventive treatment may be directed at individual disorders, i.e. abnormalities or pathological states, but it is also possible for a plurality of abnormalities, which are causally connected together where appropriate, to be combined into patterns, i.e. syndromes, which can be treated according to the invention.

The disorders which can be treated according to the invention include in particular psychiatric and neurological disorders. These comprise in particular organic disorders, symptomatic disorders included, such as psychoses of the acute exogenous type or associated psychoses with an organic or exogenous cause, e.g. associated with metabolic disorders, infections and endocrinopathies; endogenous psychoses such as schizophrenia and schizotypal and delusional disorders; affective disorders such as depressions, mania and manic/depressive states; and combined forms of the disorders described above; neurotic and somatoform disorders, and disorders associated with stress; dissociative disorders, e.g. deficits, clouding and splitting of consciousness and personality disorders; disorders of attention and waking/sleeping behavior, such as behavioral disorders and emotional disorders starting in childhood and adolescence, e.g. hyperactivity in children, intellectual deficits, especially attention deficit disorders, disorders of memory and cognition, e.g. learning and memory impairment (impaired cognitive function), dementia, narcolepsy and sleeping disorders, e.g. restless legs syndrome; developmental disorders; anxiety states; delirium; disorders of the sex life, e.g. male impotence; eating disorders, e.g. anorexia or bulimia; addiction; and other undefined psychiatric disorders.

The disorders which can be treated according to the invention also include parkinsonism and epilepsy and, in particular, the affective disorders associated therewith.

Addictive disorders include the psychological disorders and behavioral disorders caused by the abuse of psychotropic substances such as pharmaceuticals or drugs, and other addictive disorders such as, for example, compulsive gambling (impulse control disorders not elsewhere classified). Examples of addictive substances are: opioids (e.g. morphine, heroin, codeine); cocaine; nicotine; alcohol; substances which interact with the GABA chloride channel complex, sedatives, hypnotics or tranquilizers, for example benzodiazepines; LSD; cannabinoids; psychomotor stimulants such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (Ecstasy); amphetamine and amphetamine-like substances such as methylphenidate or other stimulants, including caffeine. Addictive substances requiring particular attention are opioids, cocaine, amphetamine or amphetamine-like substances, nicotine and alcohol.

With a view to the treatment of addictive disorders, the inventive compounds of the formula I which are particularly preferred are those which themselves have no psychotropic effect. This can also be observed in a test on rats which reduce the self-administration of psychotropic substances, for example cocaine, after administration of compounds which can be used according to the invention.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the inventive compounds are suitable for the treatment of disorders the causes of which can at least in part be attributed to an abnormal activity of dopamine D₃ receptors.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the treatment is directed in particular at those disorders which can be influenced by a binding of, preferably exogenously added, binding partners (ligands) to dopamine D₃ receptors in the sense of an expedient medical treatment.

The conditions which can be treated with the inventive compounds are frequently characterized by a progressive development, i.e. the states described above change over the course of time, the severity usually increasing and, where appropriate, states possibly interchanging or other states being added to previously existing states.

The inventive compounds can be used to treat a large number of signs, symptoms and/or dysfunctions associated with the disorders of the central nervous system and in particular the aforementioned states. These include for example a distorted relation to reality, lack of insight and the ability to comply with the usual social norms and demands of life, changes in behavior, changes in individual urges such as hunger, sleep, thirst etc. and in mood, disorders of memory and association, personality changes, especially emotional lability, hallucinations, ego disturbances, incoherence of thought, ambivalence, autism, depersonalization or hallucinations, delusional ideas, staccato speech, absence of associated movement, small-step gait, bent posture of trunk and limbs, tremor, mask-like face, monotonous speech, depression, apathy, deficient spontaneity and irresolution, reduced association-ability, anxiety, nervous agitation, stammering, social phobia, panic disorders, withdrawal syndromes associated with dependence, expansive syndromes, states of agitation and confusion, dysphoria, dyskinetic syndromes and tic disorders, e.g. Huntington's chorea, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, vertigo syndromes, e.g. peripheral postural, rotational and vestibular vertigo, melancholia, hysteria, hypochondria and the like.

A treatment in the sense according to the invention includes not only the treatment of acute or chronic signs, symptoms and/or dysfunctions but also a preventive treatment (prophylaxis), in particular as recurrence or episode prophylaxis. The treatment may be symptomatic, for example directed at suppression of symptom. It may take place short-term, be directed at the medium term or may also be a long-term treatment, for example as part of maintenance therapy.

The inventive compounds are preferably suitable for the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system, especially for the treatment of affective disorders; neurotic disorders, stress disorders and somatoform disorders and psychoses and specifically for the treatment of schizophrenia and depression. Owing to their high selectivity in relation to the D₃ receptor, the inventive triazole compounds are also for the treatment of renal function disorders, especially of renal function disorders caused by diabetes mellitus (WO 00/67847).

The inventive use of the described compounds comprises a method within the scope of the treatment. This entails the individual to be treated, preferably a mammal, in particular a human or agricultural or domestic animal, being given an effective amount of one or more compounds, usually formulated in accordance with pharmaceutical and veterinary practice. Whether such a treatment is indicated, and the form it is to take, depends on the individual case and is subject to a medical assessment (diagnosis) which takes account of the signs, symptoms and/or dysfunctions present, the risks of developing certain signs, symptoms and/or dysfunctions, and other factors.

The treatment usually takes place by administration once or more than once a day, where appropriate together or alternately with other active ingredients or active ingredient-containing products, so that an individual to be treated is given a daily dose preferably of about 1 to 1000 mg/kg of body weight on oral administration or of about 0.1 to 100 mg/kg of body weight on parenteral administration.

The invention also relates to the production of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of an individual, preferably a mammal, in particular a human or agricultural or domestic animal. Thus, the ligands are usually administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositions which comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient with at least one ligand of the invention and, where appropriate, further active ingredients. These compositions can be administered for example by the oral, rectal, transdermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular or intranasal route.

Examples of suitable pharmaceutical formulations are solid pharmaceutical forms such as oral powders, dusting powders, granules, tablets, especially film-coated tablets, pastilles, sachets, cachets, sugar-coated tablets, capsules such as hard and soft gelatin capsules, suppositories or vaginal pharmaceutical forms, semisolid pharmaceutical forms such as ointments, creams, hydrogels, pastes or patches, and liquid pharmaceutical forms such as solutions, emulsions, especially oil-in-water emulsions, suspensions, for example lotions, preparations for injection and infusion, eye drops and ear drops. Implanted delivery devices can also be used to administer inhibitors of the invention. A further possibility is also to use liposomes or microspheres.

The compositions are produced by mixing or diluting inhibitors of the invention usually with an excipient. Excipients may be solid, semisolid or liquid materials which serve as vehicle, carrier or medium for the active ingredient.

Suitable excipients are listed in the relevant pharmaceutical monographs. The formulations may additionally comprise pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or conventional excipients such as lubricants; wetting agents; emulsifying and suspending agents; preservatives; antioxidants; antiirritants; chelating agents; tablet-coating aids; emulsion stabilizers; film formers; gel formers; odor-masking agents; masking flavors; resins; hydrocolloids; solvents; solubilizers; neutralizers; permeation promoters; pigments; quaternary ammonium compounds; refatting and super-fatting agents; ointment, cream or oil bases; silicone derivatives; spreading aids; stabilizers; sterilants; suppository bases; tablet excipients, such as binders, fillers, lubricants, disintegrants or coatings; propellants; desiccants; opacifiers; thickeners; waxes; plasticizers; white oils. An arrangement concerning this is based on expert knowledge as set forth for example in Fiedler, H. P., Lexikon der Hilfsstoffe für Pharmazie, Kosmetik und angrenzende Gebiete, 4th edition, Aulendorf: ECV-Editio-Kantor-Verlag, 1996.

The following examples serve to illustrate the invention without limiting it.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES Example I 2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-7-propionyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-25 as hydrochloride

1.1 2-(Trifluoroacetyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Trifluoroacetic anhydride (2.13 mol, 452.0 g) was introduced into dichloromethane (452 ml) at 10-15° C. At this temperature, a solution of tetrahydroisoquinoline (1.94 mol, 268.3 g) in dichloromethane (90 ml) was added thereto. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and then hydrolyzed with ice water (813 g). After stirring for 1 h, the phases were separated. The organic phase was washed successively with water (813 ml), with half-concentrated NaHCO₃ solution (550 ml) and again with water (500 ml). It was then concentrated under reduced pressure, resulting in 446 g of crude product which was employed in the following reaction.

1.2 1-[2-(Trifluoroacetyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl]propan-1-one

Aluminum trichloride (0.78 mol, 103.7 g) was suspended in dichloromethane (93 ml) at 10-15° C., then while cooling at this temperature, the tri-fluoroacetyltetrahydrosoquinoline from step 1.1 (2.13 mol, 452.0 g) and propionyl chloride (0.47 mol, 43.2 g) were successively added. The mixture was then heated to reflux and maintained at the temperature for 5 h. It was then cooled to 5-10° C. and diluted with 70 ml of dichloromethane. Prepared in a 2 flask. The reaction solution was then rapidly introduced into a mixture of 1000 g of ice and 500 ml of methyl tert-butyl ether while cooling in an ice bath. After 30 min, the phases were separated and the organic phase was washed successively with 500 ml of water, with 500 ml of half-concentrated NaHCO₃ solution and again with 300 ml of water. The organic phase was then concentrated under reduced pressure, resulting in 89.9 g of a mixture of the title compound with its 6 isomer (isomer ratio 7 isomer:6 isomer: about 75:25 (by means of ¹³C-NMR)) which was employed in the following stage.

1.3 7-Propionyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)

The product from step 1.2 (0.39 mol, 111.0 g) was dissolved in n-propanol (744 ml), and hydrochloric acid (32% strength, 3.5 mol, 400 g) was added thereto. The mixture was then heated to reflux for 5 h. A further 300 ml of n-propanol were then added, and water was removed by azeotropic distillation using n-propanol. In total, 890 ml of distillate were distilled out. During this, the hydrochloride of the propionylisoquinoline out; a further 1500 ml of n-propanol were added and again distilled out. Then 1200 ml of methyl tert-butyl ether were added, and the mixture was cooled to 5° C. and stirred for 30 min. The resulting solid was filtered off and dried in vacuo at 40-50° C. 82.9 g of a mixture of 6- and 7-propionyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline was obtained in this way as hydrochloride with a 7 isomer:6 isomer ratio of isomers of about 80:20 (determined by means of ¹³C-NMR)).

1.4 1-(2-(3-Chloropropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl]propan-1-one

The isomer mixture from step 1.3 (0.27 mol, 63.4 g) was suspended in 634 ml of dichloromethane. The base was liberated from the hydrochloride by adding 1.05 eq of sodium hydroxide solution and 317 ml of water and separating the phases. After phase separation and extraction of the aqueous phase with a little dichloromethane, the combined organic phases were washed once with 50 ml of water, filtered and concentrated several times in a rotary evaporator. The residue was dissolved in dimethylformamide, and 1-bromo-3-chlorpropane (0.68 mol, 107.4 g) and triethylamine (0.55 mol, 55.3 g) were added successively to the solution. It was then stirred at room temperature for 16 h, 760 ml of water were added to the resulting suspension, and it was extracted twice with about 300 ml of dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were washed once with 100 ml of water, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in 61 ml of methanol and 410 ml of methyl tert-butyl ether. 1.2 equivalents of hydrogen chloride in isopropanol are added drop-wise thereto. The mixture was briefly boiled and then slowly cooled to room temperature. The precipitate was filtered filtered off sucked air through until it was good. This resulted in 87 g of crude product which was recrystallized twice from methanol. This resulted in 26.7 g of the title compound (7 isomer:6 isomer: 97:3 (via ¹³C-NMR)).

1.5 Potassium 4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiolate

Methyl isothiocyanate (0.75 mol, 54.5 g) and potassium carbonate (0.73 mol, 101.5 g) were introduced into ethanol (1.8 ). Benzoyl hydrazide (0.73 mol, 100.0 g) was added thereto at room temperature. The yellowish suspension was heated to reflux for 3 h and filtered with suction, and the filter was washed with methanol. The filtrate was concentrated and stirred with dichloromethane/methanol (1% by volume). This resulted in 89.4 g of the title compound as pale solid. The filter cake was dissolved in water (400 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate and dichloromethane. The organic phase was dried, filtered and concentrated. This resulted in a further 44.4 g of the title compound as pale solid. Yield: 133.8 g.

1.5 2-{3-[(4-Methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-thio]propyl}-7-propionyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)

1.00 g (3.76 mmol) of potassium 4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiolate from step 1.4 and 0.90 g of 1-[2-(3-chloropropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl]propan-1-one (3.92 mmol) from step 1.4 were stirred with triethylamine (5.77 mmol, 0.58 g) in dimethylformamide (30 ml) at room temperature overnight. For workup, a brine was added, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, the combined organic phases were dried, and the solvent was removed. This resulted in 1.5 g of a dark brown oil which contains the title compound as free base. The hydrochloride was obtained therefrom by precipitation from isopropanol HCl. This resulted in 0.7 g of the title compound as beige-colored solid with a melting point of 181-184° C.

EI-MS [M⁺]=420;

¹H-NMR (270 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 7.94-7.52 (m 7H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 4.79-4.52 (m br., 1H), 4.47-4.25 (m br., 1H), 3.71 (m br., 1H), 3.63 (s, 3H), 3.49-3.21 (m, 6H), 3.12 (m br., 1H), 3.01 (m sym., 2H), 2.27 (quint., 2H), 1.07 (t, 3H).

Example 2 2-(3-{[4-Methyl-S-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]thio}propyl)-7-propionyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-15 as hydrochloride

20.38 g (0.1 mol) of methyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (Rappoport et al. J. Org. Chem 37 (1972) 3618) was introduced together with lithium hydroxide (0.36 mol, 8.65 g) into dimethylformamide (130 ml). 26.00 g (86 mmol) of the compound from example 1.4 were added as solid thereto. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for about 2.5-3 days to achieve maximal conversion. For workup, the reaction mixture was mixed with 390 ml of water and extracted twice with 130 ml of methyl tert-butyl ether/ethyl acetate (1:1 vol/vol). The combined organic phases were washed with 100 ml of dilute brine. The organic phase was stirred with activated carbon and then filtered. 39.8 g of crude product by concentration of the filtrate. The crude product was dissolved in 138 ml of methanol and, at room temperature, 3 equivalents of hydrogen chloride, based on the compound from example 1.4 employed, were added thereto as solution in isopropanol, and the resulting suspension was stirred overnight and then cooled to 5° C. cooled and the solid is filtered off. The solid was dried in vacuo at 40-50° C., resulting in 24.7 g of the title compound as hydrochloride which was recrystallized from methanol (59 ml). The product was again dried in vacuo at 40-50° C., resulting in 16.4 g of the title compound as hydrochloride with a melting point of 181-184° C.

EI-MS [M⁺]=423; ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 7.91-7.78 (m 2H), 7.39 (d, 1H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 6.62 (m, 1H), 6.22 (m, 1H), 4.77-4.50 (m br., 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.71 (m br., 1H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.32 (m, 6H), 3.11 (m br., 1H), 3.01 (m sym., 2H), 2.27 (quint., 2H), 1.07 (t, 3H).

Example 3 7-Benzoyl-2-{3-((4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-19 as hydrochloride 3.1 N-(2-Phenylethyl)acetamide

Phenethylamine (206.30 mmol, 25.00 g) was introduced into toluene (300 ml). Acetyl chloride (252.23 mmol, 19.80 g) was added dropwise, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight.

The reaction mixture was poured into water, and the aqueous mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with saturated aqueous brine, dried and concentrated. 32.7 g of the title compound were obtained as a brown oil which was chromatographed on silica gel (mobile phase dichloromethane with 1% methanol) and stirred in hexane. This resulted in 27.6 g of the title compound with a melting point of 50-53° C.

3.2 N-[2-(4-Benzoylphenyl)ethyl]acetamide

N-(2-Phenylethyl)acetamide (49.01 mmol, 8.00 g) was introduced into nitrobenzene (40 ml). Benzoyl chloride (54.07 mmol, 7.60 g) was added thereto and then, at room temperature, aluminum tri-chloride (73.52 mmol, 9.80 g) was introduced in portions. The mixture was then heated at 50° C. for 8 h. The reaction mixture was poured into a mixture of ice and concentrated hydrochloric acid, and nitrobenzene was removed by steam distillation. The aqueous residue was extracted with ethyl acetate. The residue after concentration of the organic phase was chromatographed on silica gel (mobile phase dichloromethane/methanol (3% by volume)), resulting in 4.5 g of the title compound as orange oil.

3.3 (2-Acetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl)-(phenyl)methanone

N-[2-(4-Benzoylphenyl)ethyl]acetamide (16.46 mmol, 4.40 g) was introduced into glacial acetic acid (20 ml). Concentrated sulfuric acid (25 ml) and then formalin (49.29 mmol, 4.00 g) were slowly added thereto at 30° C. The mixture was stirred for 2 days and poured into ice-water, and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with aqueous sodium carbonate solution, dried and concentrated. The residue was stirred with diethyl ether and the solid resulting therefrom was filtered off with suction. 1.6 g of the title compound were obtained as a beige-colored solid with a melting point of 110-113° C.

3.4 Phenyl(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl)-methanone

(2-Acetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl)-(phenyl)methanone (11.10 mmol, 3.10 g) was heated in hydrochloric acid (7 M, 250 ml) to reflux for 6 h. The resulting mixture was concentrated, made alkaline with sodium hydroxide solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. Drying of the organic phase and concentration resulted in 1.7 g of the title compound as a brown oil.

3.5 [2-(3-Chloropropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl](phenyl)methanone

In analogy to the method for step 1.4 from example 1, 1.3 g of the title compound were obtained as an orange oil starting from phenyl(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl)methanone (7.16 mmol, 1.70 g).

3.6 7-Benzoyl-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)

In analogy to the method for example 2, 0.50 g of the title compound was obtained as a beige-colored solid with a melting point of 146-152° C. by reacting the compound obtained in stage 3.5 (2.23 mmol, 0.70 g) with the triazole from step 1.5 (2.35 mmol, 0.45 g). ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 7.81-7.50 (m 12H), 7.44 (d, 1H), 4.79-4.53 (m br., 1H), 4.48-4.26 (m br., 1H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 3.37 (m, 6H), 3.16 (m br., 1H), 2.28 (quint., 2H).

Example 4 7-Benzoyl-2-{4-[(4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]butyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-77 as hydrochloride 4.1 3-[(4,4-Dimethoxybutyl)thio]-4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole

The triazole from step 1.5 (43.60 mmol, 10.00 g) and 4-chloro-1,1-dimethoxybutane (44.55 mmol, 6.80 g) were stirred at 80° C. for 10 h. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with aqueous brine, dried and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography (mobile phase: ethyl acetate). 6.3 g of the title compound were obtained as a colorless oil.

4.2 4-[(4-Methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]-butanal

Concentrated sulfuric acid was added to a solution of 3-[(4,4-dimethoxybutyl)thio]-4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole (20.49 mmol, 6.30 g) in ethanol (50 ml) until cloudy. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 2 h and then made alkaline with sodium carbonate and subsequently extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried and concentrated, resulting in 4.8 g of the title compound colorless oil.

4.3 7-Benzoyl-2-{4-[(4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]butyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (hydrochloride)

4-[(4-Methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]-butanal (3.83 mmol, 1.00 g), the hydrochloride from step 3.3 (3.65 mmol, 1.00 g) and glacial acetic acid (14.99 mmol, 0.90 g) were introduced into methanol. NaCNBH₃ (4.77 mmol, 0.30 g) was added thereto in portions at room temperature. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and then poured into water. The mixture was made alkaline with Na₂CO₃ and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with an aqueous brine, dried and concentrated, resulting in 1.7 g of an orange-colored oil which was purified by chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: dichloromethane/methanol (1.5-3.5% by volume)). 1.1 g of the free base of the title compound were obtained as a yellow oil which was converted with hydrogen chloride in isopropanol into the hydrochloride. 0.9 g of hydrochloride was obtained as a white solid with a melting point of 171° C.

¹H-NMR (360 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 7.77-7.52 (m 12H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 4.63 (d br., 1H), 4.41-4.23 (m br., 1H), 3.69 (s br., 1H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 3.42-3.04 (m, 7H), 1.94 (quint., 2H), 1.80 (quint., 2H).

Example 5 7-Benzoyl-2-(3-{[4-methyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]thio}propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-12 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method for example 2, 0.18 g of the title compound was obtained as a white solid with a melting point of 138° C. by reacting the compound prepared in step 3.5 (1.59 mmol, 0.50 g) with methyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (1.54 mmol, 0.30 g).

¹H-NMR (360 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 7.75-7.50 (m 7H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.03 (s, 1H), 6.55 (m, 1H), 6.17 (m, 1H), 4.67 (s br., 1H), 4.37 (s br., 1H), 3.76 (s br., 3+1H), 3.60 (s, 3H), 3.30 (m, 6H), 3.15 (s br., 1H), 2.27 (quint., 2H).

Example 6 7-Benzoyl-2-(3-{[4-methyl-S-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]thio}propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-64 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.20 g of the title compound was obtained as a white solid with a melting point of 163° C. by reacting 4-methyl-5-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (1.59 mmol, 0.50 g) with the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 3.5 (1.66 mmol, 0.30 g);

¹H-NMR (360 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 7.73-7.52 (m 7H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 7.05 (s, 1H), 6.74 (m, 1H), 6.27 (m, 1H), 4.64 (s br., 1H), 4.36 (s br., 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.41-3.21 (m, 5H), 3.15 (m br., 1H), 2.19 (quint., 2H).

Example 7 7-Benzoyl-2-(3-{[5-(2-furyl)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]thio}propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′.3 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.10 g of the title compound was obtained as a yellowish solid with a melting point of 180-185° C. by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 3.5 (1.27 mmol, 0.40 g) and 5-(2-furyl)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (1.38 mmol, 0.25 g; preparation in analogy to step 2.3);

¹H-NMR (360 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 7.96 (s, 1H), 7.76-7.54 (m 7H), 7.43 (m, 1H), 7.09 (m, 1H), 6.73 (m, 1H), 4.69 (d br., 1H), 4.44-4.27 (m br., 1H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.35 (m br., 2H), 3.28 (m, 6H), 3.16 (m br., 1H), 2.20 (quint., 2H).

Example 8 7-Benzoyl-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-thien-3-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-18 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.10 g of the title compound was obtained as a yellowish solid with a melting point of 140° C. by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 3.5 (1.27 mmol, 0.40 g) and sodium 4-methyl-5-thien-2-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiolate (1.37 mmol, 0.30 g; preparation in analogy to step 1.5);

EI-MS [M⁺]=474; ¹H-NMR (360 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 11.10 (s br., 1H), 8.15 (s, 1H), 7.84-7.55 (m 9H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 4.68 (s br., 1H), 4.39 (s br., 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.50-3.24 (m, 6H), 3.19 (m br., 1H), 2.25 (quint., 2H).

Example 9 7-Benzoyl-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-64 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.17 g of the title compound was obtained as a white solid with a melting point of 148° C. by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 3.5 (1.27 mmol, 0.40 g) and 3-(5-mercapto-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridinium chloride (1.31 mmol, 0.30 g; preparation in analogy to step 2.3); ¹H-NMR (360 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 9.00 (s, 1H), 8.83 (m, 1H), 8.33 (m, 1H), 7.78-7.53 (m 8H), 7.44 (d, 1H), 4.75-4.62 (m br., 1H), 4.43-4.29 (m br., 1H), 3.73 (m br., 1H), 3.68 (s, 3H), 3.43 (m, 6H), 3.19-3.08 (m, 1H), 2.25 (quint., 2H).

Example 10 7-Benzoyl-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-1 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.30 g of the title compound was obtained as a yellowish solid with a melting point of 140-146° C. by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 3.5 (1.27 mmol, 0.40 g) and 4-(5-mercapto-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridinium chloride (1.31 mmol, 0.30 g; preparation in analogy to step 2.3);

¹H-NMR (360 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 11.40 (s br., 1H), 8.95 (m, 2H), 8.10 (m 2H), 7.79-7.56 (m, 7H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 4.81-4.13 (m, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.79-3.69 (m, 1H), 3.48-3.29 (m, 6H), 3.22-3.10 (m, 1H), 2.35 (quint., 2H).

Example 11 7-(3-Fluorobenzoyl)-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-pyrazin-2-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-58 as hydrochloride 11.1 N-{2-[4-(3-Fluorobenzoyl)phenyl]ethyl}acetamide

In analogy to the method indicated for step 3.2, 8.60 g of N-{2-[4-(3-fluorobenzoyl)phenyl]ethyl}-acetamide were obtained as a beige-colored solid with a melting point of 78° C. by reacting the compound prepared in step 3.1 (61.27 mmol, 10.00 g) with 3-fluorobenzoyl chloride (67.48 mmol, 10.70 g).

11.2 (2-Acetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl)(3-fluorophenyl)methanone

In analogy to the method indicated for step 3.3, 2.60 g of the title compound were prepared from N-{2-[4-(3-fluorobenzoyl)phenyl]ethyl}acetamide (5.60 g, 19.63 mmol); beige solid, melting point 136-139° C.

11.3 7-(3-Fluorobenzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)

In analogy to the method indicated for step 3.3, 2.20 g of the title compound were prepared from the compound obtained in step 11.2 (8.74 mmol, 2.60 g); beige solid, melting point 219-223° C.

11.4 [2-(3-Chloropropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-yl](3-fluorophenyl)methanone

In analogy to the method indicated for step 3.4, 2.20 g of the title compound were prepared from the compound obtained in step 11.3 (7.54 mmol, 2.20 g); orange oil.

11.5 7-(3-Fluorobenzoyl)-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-pyrazin-2-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (hydrochloride)

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.20 g of the title compound was obtained as a white solid, which was recrystallized from isopropanol/water 98:2, by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 11.4 (1.27 mmol, 0.40 g) and (1.51 mmol, 0.50 g) and 4-methyl-5-pyrazin-2-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (1.55 mmol, 0.30 g); EI-MS [M⁺]=488.

Example 12 7-(3-Fluorobenzoyl)-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-63 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.45 g of the title compound was obtained as a beige-colored solid with a melting point of 133° C. by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 11.4 (1.81 mmol, 0.60 g) and 3-(5-mercapto-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridinium chloride (1.75 mmol, 0.40 g; preparation in analogy to step 2.3);

¹H-NMR (360 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 11.54 (s br., 1H), 9.10 (s, 1H), 8.89 (m sym., 1H), 8.49 (m, 1H), 7.88 (m, 1H), 7.67-7.39 (m, 7H), 4.66 (m br., 1H), 4.41-4.31 (m, 1H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.46-3.27 (m, 6H), 3.12 (d br., 1H), 2.28 (quint., 2H).

Example 13 7-Acetyl-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-thien-3-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-13 as hydrochloride 13.1 1-[2-(Trifluoroacetyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-yl]ethanone

2-(Trifluoroacetyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (140 mmol, 32.00 g) was introduced into CS₂ (190 ml). Aluminum trichloride (837 mmol, 111.60 g) was added thereto in portions at room temperature. Acetyl chloride (419.12 mmol, 32.90 g) was then added dropwise in such a way that gentle refluxing took place, and the mixture was heated to reflux for a further hour. The reaction mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was dried, filtered with suction and concentrated and then stirred with isopropanol. 22 g of the title compound were obtained with a melting point of 80° C.

13.2 7-Acetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)

In analogy to the method indicated for step 1.3, 3.80 g of the title compound (yellow solid) were prepared from the compound obtained in step 13.1 (22.12 mmol, 6.00 g).

13.3 1-[2-(3-Chloropropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-yl]ethanone

In analogy to the method indicated for step 1.4, 3.00 g of the title compound (yellow oil) were prepared from the compound obtained in step 13.2 (17 mmol, 3.60 g).

13.4 7-Acetyl-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-thien-3-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)

In analogy to the method indicated for step 1.6, 0.20 g of the title compound was obtained by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 13.3 (1.99 mmol, 0.50 g) with sodium 4-methyl-5-thien-2-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-thiolate (2.28 mmol, 0.50 g; preparation in analogy to step 1.5); EI-MS [M^(+])=412.

Example 14 7-(3-Fluorobenzoyl)-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-39 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.45 g of the title compound was obtained as a beige-colored solid with a melting point of 147° C. by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 11.4 (1.51 mmol, 0.50 g) with the triazole compound from step 1.5 (1.51 mmol, 0.35 g);

EI-MS [M⁺]=486; ¹H-NMR (360 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 7.80-7.43 (m, 12H), 4.77-4.58 (m br., 1H), 4.45-4.27 (m br., 1H), 3.64 (s, 1H), 3.46-3.22 (m, 6H), 3.15 (m br., 1H), 2.24 (quint., 2H).

Example 15 7-(3-Fluorobenzoyl)-2-(3-{[4-methyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]thio}-propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride) compound Ia′-60 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.15 g of the title compound was obtained as a beige-colored solid with a melting point of 139° C. by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 11.4 (1.81 mmol, 0.60 g) with the triazole compound from step 2.4 (1.81 mmol, 0.35 g);

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 11.78 (s br., 1H), 7.70-7.41 (m, 7H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 6.67 (s, 1H), 6.23 (m, 1H), 4.75-4.60 (m, 1H), 4.47-4.31 (m, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.64 (s, 3H), 3.52-3.30 (m, 6H), 3.19-3.06 (m br., 1H), 2.31 (quint., 2H).

Example 16 1-[2-(3-{[5-(1-Benzothien-2-yl)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]thio}propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl]propan-1-one (compound Ia′-57) 16.1 5-(1-Benzothien-2-yl)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol

2-(1-Benzothien-2-ylcarbonyl)-N-methylhydrazine-carbothioamide (15.30 mmol, 4.06 g) and 50 ml of 2N sodium hydroxide solution were heated to reflux for 8 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The aqueous phase was acidified with 2N hydrochloric acid and extracted with dichloromethane. The crude product obtained after drying and concentration of the organic phase was purified by chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 6:4), resulting in 2.2 g of the title compound.

16.2 1-[2-(3-{[5-(1-Benzothien-2-yl)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]thio}propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-yl]propan-1-one

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.37 g of the title compound was obtained by reacting the triazole compound prepared in step 16.1 (2.02 mmol, 0.50 g) and the isoquinoline compound from step 1.4 (2.02 mmol, 0.54 g); EI-MS [M⁺]=476.

Example 17 2-(3-{[5-(1,3-Benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]thio}propyl)-7-propionyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-70 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.47 g of the title compound was obtained by reacting 5-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (4.87 mmol, 1.21 g; preparation in analogy to step 16.1) and the isoquinoline compound from step 1.4 (4.87 mmol, 1.30 g); EI-MS [M⁺]=477.

Example 18 7-Acetyl-2-(3-([4-methyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]thio}propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-4 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.7 g of the title compound was obtained as a beige-colored solid with a melting point of 152-158° C. by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 13.3 (2.78 mmol, 0.70 g) with methyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (2.83 mmol, 0.55 g);

¹H-NMR (270 MHz, DMSO) δ ppm: 11.20 (s br., 1H), 7.91-7.78 (m, 2H), 7.40 (d, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 6.60 (m, 1H), 6.22 (t, 1H), 4.76-4.54 (m br., 1H), 4.45-4.23 (m br., 1H), 3.60 (s, 3H), 3.45-3.19 (m, 6H), 3.12 (m br., 1H), 2.55 (s, 3H), 2.26 (quint., 2H).

Example 19 7-Acetyl-2-{3-[(4-methyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (hydrochloride)—compound Ia′-39 as hydrochloride

In analogy to the method indicated for example 2, 0.8 g of the title compound was obtained as a pale solid by reacting the tetrahydroisoquinoline compound prepared in step 13.3 (5.16 mmol, 1.30 g) with 4-methyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol hydrochloride (5.47 mmol, 1.25 g; preparation in analogy to step 2.3); EI-MS [M⁺]=407.

Example 20 1-{2-[3-(4-Methyl-5-pyridin-2-yl-4H-[1,2,4]triazol-3-ylsulfanyl)-propyl]-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydroisoquinoline-7-yl}-propan-1-one (dihydrochloride)—compound Ia′-71 as dihydrochloride 20.1 4-Methyl-5-pyridin-2-yl-4H-[1,2,4]triazole-3-thiol

15 g of pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (121.8 mmol) were dissolved in 150 ml of dimethylformamide. At room temperature, 29.6 g (181.8 mmol) of carbonyldiimidazole were slowly added, during which gas was evolved. Reaction was allowed to take place at 100° C. for 30 min, and then 25.6 g (242.7 mmol) of 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide were added, and the mixture was stirred at 100° C. for a further 2 h. The reaction mixture was mixed with 300 ml of water. After cooling in an ice bath, the precipitated crystals were filtered off with suction and washed with a little water. The crystals were taken up in 390 ml of 1M sodium bicarbonate solution and heated to reflux for 3 h.

Cooling was followed by neutralization with concentrated hydrochloric acid, filtration of the white crystals, washing with a little water and drying overnight at 50° C. 18.5 g of the title compound were obtained.

20.2 1-{2-[3-(4-Methyl-5-pyridin-2-yl-4H-[1,2,4]-triazol-3-ylsulfanyl)-propyl]-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydroisoquinoline-7-yl}-propan-1-one (dihydrochloride)

1.08 g (5.44 mmol) of 4-methyl-5-pyridin-2-yl-4H-[1,2,4]triazole-3-thiol, 0.135 g (5.44 mmol) of lithium hydroxide and 0.422 g (2.82 mmol) of sodium iodide were introduced into 14 ml of dimethylformamide and heated to 70° C. A solution of 1.5 g (5.44 mmol) of 1-[2-(3-chloropropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-yl]-propan-1-one from step 1.4 in 6 ml of dry dimethylformamide was added dropwise thereto at a temperature of 70° C. over the course of 2h, and the mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 30 min. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The pale yellow oil obtained in this way was poured into 20 ml of saturated brine and 20 ml of water and then extracted three times with 30 ml of ethyl acetate.

The combined organic phases were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude product (2.8 g) obtained in this way was by means of and evaporated. The crude product (2.8 g) obtained in this way was purified by flash chromatography. (Eluents: 1. dichloromethane; 2. dichloromethane/methanol 98:2; 3. dichloromethane/methanol 30:1). To prepare the hydrochloride salt, the free base of the title compound obtained in this way (1.1 g) was dissolved in 20 ml of ethyl acetate, and 4N hydrogen chloride in dioxane was added to the solution. The white precipitate which separated out was filtered off with suction, washed with ether and dried. 1.0 g of the title compound was obtained as a white solid; [M+H]+=424.

Example 21 1-[2-(3-{[4-Methyl-5-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]thio}propyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-5-yl]propan-1-one hydrochloride

The title compound was prepared in analogy to method 1.5 from 4-methyl-5-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (1.43 mmol, 0.26 g) and 1-[2-(3-chloropropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-5-yl]propan-1-one (1.43 mmol, 0.36 g; preparation in analogy to 1.4 from isoindoline as disclosed in WO 0125200). Yield: 0.11 g.

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ ppm: 7.79 (d, 1H), 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.20 (d, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 6.54 (s, 1H), 6.28 (m, 1H), 3.94 (s, 4H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.28 (t, 2H), 2.95 (q, 2H), 2.89 (t, 2H), 2.05 (quint., 2H), 1.20 (t, 3H).

Example 22 1-(2-{3-[(4-Methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-5-yl)propan-1-one hydrochloride

The title compound was prepared in analogy to method 1.5 from 4-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (1.43 mmol, 0.33 g) and 1-[2-(3-chloropropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-5-yl]propan-1-one (1.43 mmol, 0.36 g; preparation in analogy to 1.4 from isoindoline as disclosed in WO 0125200). Yield: 0.24 g.

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ ppm: 7.84-7.77 (m, 2H), 7.65-7.59 (m, 2H), 7.53-7.48 (m, 3H), 7.26 (d, 1H), 3.96 (s, 4H), 3.59 (s, 3H), 3.38 (t, 2H), 2.95 (q, 2H), 2.89 (t, 2H), 2.08 (quint., 2H), 1.20 (t, 3H).

Example 23 1-(2-{3-[(4-Methyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]propyl}-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-5-yl)propan-1-one

The title compound was prepared in analogy to method 1.5 from 4-methyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (1.43 mmol, 0.33 g) and 1-[2-(3-chloropropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-5-yl]propan-1-one (1.43 mmol, 0.36 g; preparation in analogy to 1.4 from isoindoline as disclosed in WO 0125200). Yield: 0.04 g.

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ ppm: 8.87 (s br., 1H), 8.70 (s br., 1H), 8.02 (m, 1H), 7.87-7.75 (m, 1H), 7.43 (m, 2H), 7.25 (m, 1H), 4.02 (s, 4H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 3.37 (t, 2H), 2.91 (m, 2H), 2.15 (t, 2H), 1.84 (m sym., 2H), 1.20 (t, 3H).

Examples of Pharmaceutical Administration Forms

A) Tablets

Tablets of the following composition are compressed in a tablet press in a conventional way:

40 mg of substance of example 2

120 mg of corn starch

13.5 mg of gelatin

45 mg of lactose

2.25 mg of Aerosil® (chemically pure silica in submicroscopically fine distribution)

6.75 mg of potato starch (as 6% strength paste)

B) Sugar-Coated Tablets

20 mg of substance of example 2

60 mg of core composition

70 mg of sugar-coating composition

The core composition consists of 9 parts of corn starch, 3 parts of lactose and 1 part of vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate 60:40 copolymer. The sugar-coating composition consists of 5 parts of sucrose, 2 parts of corn starch, 2 parts of calcium carbonate and 1 part of talc. The sugar-coated tablets produced in this way are subsequently provided with an enteric coating.

Biological Investigations—Receptor Binding Studies

The substance to be tested was dissolved either in methanol/Chremophor® (BASF-AG) or in dimethyl sulfoxide and then diluted with water to the desired concentration.

Dopamine D₃ Receptor:

The mixture (0.250 ml) is composed of membranes from ˜10⁶ HEK-293 cells with stably expressed human dopamine D3 receptors, 0.1 nM [¹²⁵I]-iodosulpride and incubation buffer (total binding) or with addition of test substance (inhibition plot) or 1 μM spiperone (nonspecific binding). Triplicate mixtures were carried out.

The incubation buffer contained 50 mM Tris, 120 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl₂, 2 mM MgCl₂ and 0.1% bovine serum albumin, 10 μM quinolone, 0.1% ascorbic acid (prepared fresh each day). The buffer was adjusted to pH 7.4 with HCl.

Dopamine D₂(L) Receptor:

The mixture (1 ml) was composed of membranes from ˜10⁶ HEK-293 cells with stably expressed human dopamine D₂ (L) receptors (long isoform) and 0.01 nM [¹²⁵I]-iodospiperone and incubation buffer (total binding) or with addition of test substance (inhibition plot) or 1 μM haloperidol (nonspecific binding). Triplicate mixtures were carried out.

The incubation buffer contained 50 mM Tris, 120 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl₂, 2 mM MgCl₂ and 0.1% bovine serum albumin. The buffer was adjusted to pH 7.4 with HCl.

Measurement and Evaluation:

After incubation at 25° C. for 60 minutes, the mixtures were filtered under vacuum through Wathman GF/B glass fiber filters using a cell harvester. The filters were transferred by a filter transfer system into scintillation vials. After addition of 4 ml of Ultima Gold® (Packard), the samples were shaken for one hour and then the radioactivity was calculated in a beta counter (Packard, Tricarb 2000 or 2200CA). The cp values were converted into dpm by means of a standard quench series with the aid of the instrument's own program.

Evaluation of the inhibition plots took place by iterative nonlinear regression analysis using the statistical analysis system (SAS) similar to the “LIGAND” program described by Munson and Rodbard.

In these assays, the inventive compounds show very good affinities for the D₃ receptor (<100 nmolar, in particular <50 nM) and bind selectively to the D₃ receptor. The results of the binding assays are indicated in table 2. TABLE 2 Compound No. Ki (D₃) [nM] Ki (D₂)/Ki (D₃) Ia′-1 11.4 133 Ia′-3 19.3 40 Ia′-4 4.5 80 Ia′-12 10.7 90 Ia′-15 4.4 103 Ia′-18 22.4 48 Ia′-19 8.6 149 Ia′-25 4.4 90 Ia′-39 18.8 37 Ia′-46 21.7 94 Ia′-57 2.6 59 Ia′-58 25.5 39 Ia′-60 30.3 37 Ia′-63 40.3 38 Ia′-68 14.9 56 Ia′-64 20.2 46 Ib′-25 21.4 126 Ib′-65 40.0 49

Investigation of the cerebral availability and the oral bioavailability

The test substances were administered to male Wistar rats in parallel experiments in each case intravenously (tail vein, 2 mg/kg of body weight) and orally (gavage, 10 mg/kg of body weight). The test compound was dissolved in water with up to 4% by volume of DMSO and/or ethanol for intravenous administration and suspended in 4% by weight aqueous hydroxypropyl-cellulose solution for oral administration. After various times (intravenous: 5 min, 15 min, 30 min, 2 h, 8 h and 24 h; oral: 15 min, 30 min, 2 h, 8 h and 24 h) after the administration, a blood sample or brain tissue were taken from 2 rats in each case. The concentration of the test compound in the blood plasma and in the brain tissue (plasma and brain) was determined in a conventional way by coupled liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy or by HPLC. The area under the concentration-time plot for brain (AUC_(brain)) and for plasma (AUC_(iV), AUC_(oral)) were by means of the trapezoidal method from the results obtained [((t_(n)−t_(n-1))×(c_(n)+c_(n-1))/2) calculated, in which t_(n) is the time of determination and t_(n-1) is the preceding time of determination, and c_(n) and c_(n-1) are respectively the concentrations at time t_(n) and t_(n-1)]. The maximum concentration of the active ingredients in brain tissue c_(max) brain, the value of AUC_(brain), and the AUC_(brain)/AUC_(plasma) ratio is a measure of the cerebral availability of the active substance. In addition, the bioavailability F of the active ingredient was calculated in a manner known per se from the data (AUC_(oral)/AUC_(iv) in %). The tested active ingredients and the pharmacokinetic data are indicated in table 3. The meanings of Ar and R in the formula indicated below are those indicated in table 3. TABLE 3

c_(max) (brain)* AUC_(brain)* AUC_(brain)/ F No. Ar R [ng/g] [ng h/g] AUC_(plasma) [%] A 1-Methyl- SO₂- b.l. n.k 3 pyrrol-2-yl Piperidinyl B 1-Methyl- Methoxy 87 228 2.1 3 pyrrol-2-yl Ia′-15 1-Methyl- C(O)-Ethyl 686 2903 0.3 100 pyrrol-2-yl Ia′-12 1-Methyl- C(O)-Phenyl 130 306 0.2 10 pyrrol-2-yl *from oral experiments, b.l.: below limits of detection, n.k: not known, F: bioavailability A: Example 35 of WO 00/42306 (free base) B: Example 594 of WO 00/42306 (hydrochloride) Ia′-15 (hydrochloride) Ia′-12 (hydrochloride)

It emerged that the inventive compounds have a distinctly higher cerebral availability and bioavailability than comparative compounds not corresponding to formula I. 

1. A triazole compound of the formula I

in which A is C₄-C₁₀-alkylene or C₃-C₁₀-alkylene which includes at least one group Z which is selected from O, S, NR⁵, CONR⁵, COO and CO, where alkylene may also have a C₃-C₆-cycloalkylene group and/or a double or triple bond, B is CH₂ or CH₂-CH₂; R¹ is an aromatic radical which is selected from phenyl and a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic radical having 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms which are selected independently of one another from O, N and S, where the aromatic radical may have one or more substituents which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, halogen or phenyl, or C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl, or halogen, CN, OR⁶, COOR⁶, NR⁷R⁸, NO₂, SR⁹, SO₂R⁹, SO₂NR⁷R⁸, COR¹⁰, and phenyl which is optionally substituted by one or two radicals which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, NR⁷R⁸, CN, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen, where phenyl and the heteroaromatic radical may also be fused to a 5 or 6-membered, aromatic or nonaromatic carbocycle; R² is H, C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, halogen or phenyl, or OH, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, OCF₃, OCHF₂, OSO₂CF₃, SH, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, halogen, CN or NO₂; R³ is C₂-C₁₀-alkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl which is substituted by C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio or phenyl which may in turn have one, two or three substituents selected from C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, halogen, CN, OR⁶, COOR⁶, NR⁷R⁸, NO₂, SR⁹, SO₂R⁹, SO₂NR⁷R⁸, COR¹⁰ and halogen, is C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl, or is an aromatic radical which is selected from phenyl, naphthyl and a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic radical having 1, 2, or 3 heteroatoms which are selected independently of one another from O, N and S, where the aromatic radical may have one or two substituents which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, halogen, CN, COOR⁶, NR⁷R⁸, NO₂, SO₂R⁹, SO₂NR⁷R⁸, COR¹⁰, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen, where R³ may also be methyl if R¹ is an optionally substituted heteroaromatic radical; R⁴ is H, C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or phenyl, or C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by C₁-C₄-alkyl or halogen, or phenyl; R⁵ is H, C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or phenyl, or C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, phenyl or a COR¹¹ group; R⁶ to R¹⁰ are independently of one another H, C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or phenyl, or C₁-C₆-haloalkyl or phenyl, where R⁸ may also be a COR¹¹ group in which R¹¹ has one of the meanings mentioned for R⁴; R⁷ may also form together with R⁸ a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated carbocycle which may have a heteroatom selected from O, S, N and NR¹² as ring member, where R¹² is hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl, or a physiologically tolerated salt of this compound.
 2. The compound as claimed in claim 1 of the formula I in which B is CH₂CH₂.
 3. The compound as claimed in claim 1 or 2 of the formula I in which A is C₄-C₁₀-alkylene or Z-C₃-C₁₀-alkylene, where alkylene may have a double bond, Z is bonded to the triazole ring and is selected from O, S, COO, NR⁵ and CO.
 4. The compound as claimed in claim 3 of the formula I in which A is a group S—(C₃-C₁₀-alkylene) in which alkylene may have a double bond.
 5. The compound as claimed in any of the preceding claims of the formula I in which R² is H.
 6. The compound as claimed in any of the preceding claims of the formula I in which R¹ is phenyl which is unsubstituted or has one or two substituents which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₆-alkyl, OH, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, phenyl, CN and halogen and/or which may be fused to a 6-membered aromatic carbocyle.
 7. The compound as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 of the formula I in which R¹ is a heteroaromatic radical which is selected from thienyl, furanyl, tetrazolyl, pyrrolyl, benzothienyl, indolyl, benzothiazolyl, pyridyl or pyrazinyl, where the aromatic radical may be substituted in the manner indicated in claim 1 or
 6. 8. The compound as claimed in claim 7, in which R¹ is pyrrolyl which optionally has 1 or 2 substituents selected from C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl.
 9. The compound as claimed in any of the preceding claims of the formula I in which R³ is C₂-C₁₀-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, benzyl or phenyl which may have one or two substituents which are selected independently of one another from C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen.
 10. The compound as claimed in any of the preceding claims of the formula Ia

in which A, R¹ R³ and R⁴ have the meanings indicated above.
 11. The compound as claimed in claim 10 of the formula Ia in which A is C₄-C₁₀-alkylene or Z-C₃-C₁₀-alkylene, where alkylene may have a double bond, Z is bonded to the triazole ring and is selected from O, S, COO, CONR⁵, NR⁵ and CO; R¹ is an aromatic radical which is selected from phenyl, thienyl, furanyl, tetrazolyl, pyrrolyl, benzothienyl, indolyl, benzothiazolyl, pyridyl or pyrazinyl, where the aromatic radical may be substituted in the manner indicated in claim 1; R³ is C₂-C₁₀-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, benzyl or phenyl which may have one or two substituents which are selected independently of another from C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen, where R³ may also be methyl if R¹ is not optionally substituted phenyl, and R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl.
 12. The compound as claimed in claim 10 or 11 in which R¹ is pyrrolyl which optionally has 1 or 2 substituents selected from C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl.
 13. The compound as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12 of the formula Ia in which A is a group S—(C₃-C₁₀-alkylene) in which alkylene may have a double bond.
 14. The compound as claimed in claim 11 in which R² is methyl, A is a group Z′-(CH₂)_(k) where Z′ is bonded to the triazole ring and is oxygen, sulfur or CH₂, k is 3 or 4, R¹ is phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, pyrrol-2-yl, 1-methylpyrrol-2-yl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, benzothien-2-yl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, benzothiazol-2-yl, 2-pyridinyl, 3-pyridinyl, 4-pyridinyl or 2-pyrazinyl, and R³ is C₂-C₄-alkyl or phenyl which may be substituted once or twice by C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, CF₃, CHF₂ or halogen, or may also be methyl if R¹ is different from phenyl.
 15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the formula I as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, where appropriate together with physiologically acceptable carriers and/or excipients.
 16. The use of at least one compound of the formula I as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 for producing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of disorders which respond to influencing of dopamine D₃ receptors.
 17. The use as claimed in claim 16 for the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system. 